The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-22
POKER PROHIBITION.
The Demoralizing Effect of Poker when
Played on Wind at Harvard.


Played on Wind at Harvard.
From, the Minneapolis Tribune
l am credibly informed that it is the in
tention of the Harvard faculty to promul-
gate an edict, when the fall term of the
college opens few days hence prohibiting
indulgence in the vicissitudinous but Sc
ductive game of draw poker within the
classic precincts of the university 1t is
with deep regret that the step is contem-
plated by the college authorities, who fully
appreciate the educational value of this noble
pastime. The problems it affords are well
worthy the attention of the mathemati-
clan, while the student of moral philosophy
cannot fail to discover in it a profitable
field for speculation. This, however, is true
only when it is played strictly for cash.
Otherwise its influence is baleful and PERM
clous. So it has proved at any rate at Har-
vard where the wind style of game obtain
ed such prevalence last year as to give rise
to painful scandals. If gambling with
money is objectionable, as many godly per-
sons assert, gambling without money is in
the very last degree immoral not to say
damnable.
Let us take a case in illustration. Fresh
man b. is fond of poker, but is not very
we'll supplied with cash. AS is the case
with many other young men, however,
financial obligations which are susceptible
Of indefinite postponement do not occasion
him much uneasineSS. In order to play,
ready money is not necessary, "honor among
gentlemen" being regarded as a satisfactory
substitute So, under the conditions, yonng
B. takes hand in little game with few
carefully selected acquaintance, whose pc
cunlary resources are no greater than
his own. Promises to pay being cheap
the betting is done on scale far beyond
the means of the gamesters, who fix the
limit at 81 instead of 10 cents, which would
be about the proper figure. 1t is acheerful
thing to see half dozen youthful under.
graduates, equipped with 81 so apiece pei
week for pocket money and incidentals
poking away at SIS jackpots during the
leisure hours obtained by sick excuses
from recitations, while the washerwomer
storm the dormitory for the settle
ment of accounts long unpaid. One or two
of the players win steadily-it is always sc
in every poker party-and the Others
before many weeks are hopelessly in debt
The gambling thereupon becomes more and
more reckless, the medium employed being
|. o. us exclusively, until it has lost its in
terest through the palpable impossibility O
liquidation. At this point things generally
smash up, with all sorts of unpleasant con
sequences. Such is wind" poker 1t is
pity that the Harvard faculty cannot driv,
it out without including in its prohibition
the legitimate game
Like most luxuries, it is expensive. In al
my life have known but three or four mel
who could say that on the whole they were
ahead of it. Most people who play it would
in my view, do much better to confine theil
attention to humble the-peg, at which theN
could not very well lose anything more thai
a couple of front teeth. Their notion of tn
game seems chiefly to consist of betting eau
tiously when luck is with them, for fea
of an adverse turn, and in plungin,
heavily when their cards run badly
Their losses are invariably attrib
uted to ill-luck. 1 have never We
met a poker player who did not conside
himself an expert. 1t is a weakness il
which l have myself shared. Such conf
dence did l at one time entertain in my
dexterity in manipulating the pasteboart
that sought, deliberately, and in cold blood
swell poker dive in New York, with tn
| intention of cleaning it out. The cleanin,
out was accomplished, but the poker div
was not the victim. 1t cost me three nights
sleep and S235 to find out that | did no
stand ghost of a show against the pro
prietor, who dealt marked cards and stooC
in with two other players. But the expert
ence was worth the money